Kewcorp Financial Inc.

James (Jim) Kew

James actively engaged in hockey and curling during his High School years.  He played one year of junior hockey and his favourite tongue-in-cheek saying is “I taught Lanny Macdonald how to grow a moustache”.

When James was not participating in sports he was working at his father’s McLeods hardware store.  He learned the retail business from the ground up.

Following High School, James worked at Canadian Acceptance Corporation.  He completed the four year Management course and advanced to Citicorp Financial where he created the Citibank mortgage division in Edmonton.

James mastered the ABMA mortgage brokerage course which moved him into the mortgage brokerage business.  He was the first to sell mortgage insurance to his clients (which Banks do today with zeal).  James started his own firm in 1979 and became licensed for Life, Accident and Sickness and Personal Lines insurance.  James began his standalone Financial Planning business as James Kew Financial Services.

Little was know about Financial Planning in Canada when Jim completed the course material for the Chartered Financial Planner program in 1992.  Jim is a staunch advocate of educating the public about the difference between a Financial Planner and the many other terms used for people who work in the industry. The common theme to his advocacy is the objective advice provided by a Financial Planner versus the purely sales relationship most other industry people provide. When asked who he works for James replies “my client”.

“Since the collapse of Canada ‘s four pillars of finance I think that the public is more confused than ever regarding the financial services industry. The banking industry is in insurance and the investment brokerage business. Insurance companies are in banking and investment brokerage. Regulators are falling all over themselves to regulate the industry in the name of consumer protection and are creating bureaucracies and empires that are accomplishing little added value to the consumer. In the meantime the consumer is lacking objective advice against the confusion of who they are actually dealing with and whether the advice they are getting is objective or subjective. It is important for the consumer to know the difference between a sales relationship (subjective) and objective (in the consumers own best interest) so that investment choices can be made without emotion. These lines are blurred today as the financial services industry is a mix of the original four pillars all rolled into one.  A customer in the bank today purchasing investments is getting the bank’s best advice but this is not necessarily in the best interest of the customer. A sales relationship when buying a fridge is one thing but when making life choices I feel it is entirely another matter. A sales relationship is not necessarily a bad thing but the consumer is entitled to know the difference and how this difference can affect their choices. The insurance industry is not necessarily any better which is why I continue my crusade for objectivity”.

In 1998 he incorporated “Kewcorp Financial Inc” and continues to operate his company and his proprietorship “James Kew Financial Services”.

Recognizing the need for a more professional approach to the financial services industry he joined Advocis (formerly CAIFA) in 1999. As a member of Advocis, James is required to maintain certain levels of education annually. Continuing education provides clients with current information and knowledge to best serve their needs. James is a firm believer that continuing education provides clients with professional advice and has been practicing this philosophy since 1985.

In 2002 James travelled to Denver, Colorado to receive his Certified Senior Advisor designation and in 2005 he enrolled in the updated CFP program.  He completed the course material in 2010.

Professional Associations

√ Advocis
√ Efile
√ Canadian Academy of Senior Advisors

Volunteer Work

• Fort Edmonton Kinsmen Club
• Sherwood Park Kinsmen Club
  • Director
• Sherwood Park Legion
  • Treasurer
• Lamont Two Hills Business Development Association
  • Director – appointed as Strathcona County Representative

Special Events and Charities

• Sherwood Park RCMP Memorial Golf Tournament
  • Tournament Sponsor

Provides funding for the Strathcona County Victims of Violence

• Alberta Cancer Foundation
• Northern Alberta Urology Foundation
• Fallen Four

Books

• Sh**t…
  Things that happened to me on the way to pay my income tax 
  • under construction